神马福利影片

WMG鈥檚 Research Office hosted a conference for around 50 academics and researchers from across the 神马福利影片鈥檚 Science Faculty, on Thursday (28^th November).

The conference focused on research collaboration opportunities with North America, and considered various funding options to support increased engagement in this area.

Professor Carsten Maple, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor at the 神马福利影片 charged with leading the strategy in North America, provided an overview of the University鈥檚 International Strategy, and Sarah Wilson from WMG鈥檚 Research Office shared insights from a recent visit to Washington DC.

The delegates then heard from Brendan Vickers, Innovate UK鈥檚 Partnership Manager for North America, who explained the Innovate UK structure and strategy, and gave an insight into potential future funding calls in this space.

Finally, invited academics shared their collaboration experiences. These included Darren Hughes who has previously conducted work at various US National Laboratories, Alon Ratner who recently visited NREL, Sandra Chapman who detailed the benefits of her Fulbright Scholarship to her space weather research, and Matthew Higgins, from WMG鈥檚 Intelligent Vehicles team, who explained more about the 5G Technology research project with National Instruments.

As one of the outcomes from the meeting, WMG will now be developing a special alumni newsletter specifically for WMG alumni based in North America who have a relationship with the University and are interested in building on this connection.

On the 28^th November 2019, Steve Berry OBE, Head of Highways Maintenance, Innovation, Resilience, Light Rail and Cableways at the UK will give the keynote address at the Very Light Rail Conference being held at The Slate on the 神马福利影片鈥檚 campus. He will speak about the potential for Very Light Rail to transform local public transport.

Steve Berry will be joined by industry speakers and academics involved in developing very light rail, including local companies TDI and RDM. They will talk about three projects that are underway across the West Midlands, and discuss why the West Midlands is leading the way in VLR.

As the UK population continues to grow along with traffic congestion and vehicle emissions, new transport options are needed to create modal shift and encourage people to leave their cars at home.

At present buses and trams (light rail) provide alternatives to private cars, but bus patronage has been falling steadily for many years in contrast to tram ridership which has taken passengers out of their cars. However, tram routes are expensive to construct and can only be afforded by large city conurbations such as Birmingham. That said, Very Light Rail (VLR) may be a solution that medium sized cities could afford.

Very Light Rail is a lower cost, zero emission option for sustainable transport. The technology can be applied to branch lines as well as urban rail (trams). The Coventry VLR scheme aims to reduce the cost through the delivery of lightweight, battery electric vehicles combined with a novel track form, the first system of its kind in the world.

3D visualisations of the Coventry VLR vehicle were unveiled earlier this year. The lightweight vehicle is fabricated from a combination of steel, aluminium and composite components and will be capable of carrying 50 passengers.

Unlike traditional trams, the Coventry VLR system will not have overhead cables – the vehicle will be powered by an on-board battery which will be rapidly charged at the end of the route. The vehicles will run on a novel prefabricated track form which be easy to install into the road and remove, negating the need to utility companies to relocate their equipment (which is a significant cost in light rail tram solutions).

Currently the system is being designed to meet Coventry City鈥檚 needs, but it is expected other medium sized cities across the UK, such as Leicester and Derby, may follow in due course.

Dr Nick Mallinson from WMG, 神马福利影片 comments:
鈥淎t WMG we鈥檝e been working on very light rail technology with a number of industry partners for 5 years. Progress achieved to date recently convinced the Department for Transport that the time is right for a conference to showcase the work and make local authorities, transport planners and industry aware of the potential for very light rail solutions鈥�

To see the full agenda and register your interest in the event please fill out the form at: /fac/sci/wmg/mediacentre/wmgevents/vlr/

ENDS

22 NOVEMBER 2019

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/march2019/tdi123_coventry_vlr_exterior_4a_2019-03-12.jpg Credit: TDI

Please credit the following images and videos to: WMG, 神马福利影片

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
神马福利影片
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

Congratulations to WMG Professor Claire Davis who has been awarded the prestigious Hadfield (Sir Robert Hadfield) Medal and Prize by The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining ().

Professor Davis was presented with the award in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the steel industry and its value chain.

The Hadfield Medal is widely recognised as a distinguished achievement in relation to metallurgical practice, process development, product development, metallurgical understanding or design engineering connected with iron and steel or associated industries.

Professor Davis holds the Royal Academy of Engineering / Tata Steel Chain in Low Energy Steel Processing at WMG. Her research focuses on the development of microstructure during processing and the relationships between microstructure and properties (both physical and mechanical) in steels.

Find out more about Professor Davis鈥檚 research here.

WMG was pleased to welcome visitors from the National Institute of Standards and Technology () recently. The visit came on the back of WMG鈥檚 Research Office鈥檚 engagement with NIST earlier this year.

The NIST is a physical sciences laboratory and a non-regulatory agency of the . Its mission is to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness.

The visitors were welcomed by Professor Carsten Maple, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor at the 神马福利影片 charged with leading the strategy in North America, and given a tour of WMG鈥檚 research facilities.

Associate Professor Jungong Han explained more about WMG鈥檚 Data Science research, and Professor Robert Harrison talked more about the current Automation projects.

Finally the visitors were shown WMG鈥檚 Forensic Centre for Digital Scanning and 3D printing, where Professor Mark Williams explained more about WMG鈥檚 work with West Midlands Police, and the use of digital prototyping tools and techniques to generate forensic evidence to support criminal investigations.

WMG鈥檚 research team is looking forward to exploring opportunities for collaborative research with the NIST in the future.

A bionic hand can be made to measure in 10 hours and can grip using a moveable thumb. Designers and engineers from WMG, 神马福利影片 and UK industry, have been able to entirely 3D Print the device with embedded electrical circuitry to seamlessly connect sensors and actuators.

The IMPACT project, led by Iterate Design and Innovation Ltd, in collaboration with WMG, 神马福利影片, C Enterprise (UK) Ltd and Printed Electronics Ltd, was made possible thanks to a grant of nearly 拢900,000 from , with the aim of developing a 3D printing technology with the ability to print plastic products with integrated electrical circuitry, a capability which they have demonstrated in a bionic hand.

The IMPACT hand has taken inspiration from a similar developed by Ambionic鈥檚 Ben Ryan, whose son had his forearm amputated after birth, and who decided to make him a new one.

The IMPACT team have taken this design further by embedding the electrical circuitry linking the motion controlling muscle sensors with the motors and battery into the structure of the bionic hand, thus providing a durable and aesthetic solution.

Engineers at WMG, 神马福利影片 have tested the durability of the printed electrical circuitry to understand how well they will endure the bending and flexing that they might experience in use.

They also developed a website so that people can interact with the manufacturers to order a 3D Printed hand, allowing them to insert the measurements of their arm, and select what colour they want their hand to be, providing them with a tailored and personalised product.

10 hours later the hand will be printed with the sensors inbuilt ready for use.

Within the project, developed the design of the hand, including the integration of the electrical circuitry and sensors. Printed Electronics Ltd developed the technology for printing the electrical circuitry within the 3D Printing process and C Enterprise (UK) Ltd developed the multi-axis, multi-material 3D printer that enables the hand to be realised in 3D.

Dr Greg Gibbons of WMG 神马福利影片 comments:

鈥淲MG are delighted to be a partner in the IMPACT project, helping to deliver this innovative and revolutionary technology, which is undoubtedly helping put UK PLC at the forefront of 3D Printing research and development globally.鈥�

Gethin Roberts, Project Lead and MD of Iterate Design + Innovation comments:

鈥淭he IMPACT project has resulted in the creation of an exciting new technology that has the ability to print electro-mechanical parts and assemblies, which weren鈥檛 previously possible. Through laying down conductive ink tracks within polymer structures means that parts produced are fully functional straight off the machine bed; offering huge productivity benefits.鈥�

ENDS

14 NOVEMBER 2019

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available credit to Iterate UK/Ambionics

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About WMG
WMG is a world leading research and education group transforming organisations and driving innovation through a unique combination of collaborative research and development, and pioneering education programmes.

As an international role model for successful partnerships between academia and the private and public sectors, WMG develops advancements nationally and globally, in applied science, technology and engineering, to deliver real impact to economic growth, society and the environment.

WMG鈥榮 education programmes focus on lifelong learning of the brightest talent, from the WMG Academies for Young Engineers, degree apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate, through to professional programmes.

An academic department of the 神马福利影片, and a centre for the HVM Catapult, WMG was founded by Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya in 1980 to help reinvigorate UK manufacturing and improve competitiveness through innovation and skills development.

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
神马福利影片
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

Six members of WMG staff have been recognised for their hard work and commitment at the Warwick Long Service Awards.

Professor Margaret Low, Professor Kevin Neaily, Richard Moffatt, Dr Neil Davis, Helen Neal, and Professor Steve Maggs have together clocked up over 160 years at the University.

The six were honoured at a special awards ceremony hosted by Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of the 神马福利影片.

Professor Margaret Low, who is celebrating 31 years at WMG, said: 鈥淲MG has changed so much since I first joined in 1988. I have some wonderful colleagues and there is always new challenges which helps to keep things interesting.

鈥淚 teach on the e-Business Management Master鈥檚 Programme, but I鈥檓 also the Widening Participation Officer and lead WMG鈥檚 Outreach Programme. This means I get to spend lots of time with youngsters from a variety of backgrounds introducing them to STEM subjects from a young age.鈥�

Find out more about careers at WMG here.

Used EV batteries could be used to power rickshaws in Bangladesh, as researchers from WMG, 神马福利影片, seek to find out how they can be repurposed for the rickshaws and lower peoples鈥� carbon footprint.

Motorised rickshaws, also known as easy-bikes, have gained popularity in Bangladesh due to their cost-effectiveness with one million of them all over the country.

However, the easy-bike currently uses a lead-acid battery for power, which has a lifetime of 6-12 months and therefore increases the operating cost as well as the carbon footprint.

In order to reduce the carbon footprint, researchers at WMG are exploring the possibility of repurposing used EV Li-ion batteries thanks to a 拢25,000 grant from Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), an award from the UKRI aimed to deliver scalable solutions to issues faced by low and middle-income countries.

Currently, Li-ion batteries retire from EVs after reaching 70-80% of their state of health (SoH). At 70% SoH, the lithium-ion battery still have 3 times higher energy density than a new lead-acid battery, and potentially can have a lifetime of 3-5 years in easy-bike application.

The researchers hope to repurpose the batteries to improve the energy storage life from 6-12 months to 3-5 years, which in turn will reduce the number of batteries being recycled and improve the ecosystem.

The new application of Li-ion batteries will be better environmentally without an additional cost in transport. As easy-bike replaces manual driving, the quality of life will improve significantly and bring a socio-economic change to a large community in Bangladesh. Furthermore, this development could reduce the consumption of grid-connected electricity which could be used to develop industries and infrastructure.

In fact, there are currently one million rickshaw pullers in Bangladesh who earn $4.8 billion every year. The new development in easy-bikes will directly improve their economic status. A few million people involved in vehicle support such as mechanics and manufacturing industries will also be benefited.

This project eventually could lead to mass production of second-life Li-ion batteries in Bangladesh, in conjunction with UK automobile industries, which will create job opportunities for thousands of people.

Dr Mohammad Al-Amin from WMG, 神马福利影片 comments:
鈥淭o prevent climate change, all cars in the future will need to be electric. However, the batteries in EVs once they have reached their end of life, for car purposes, is something that can be explored more, as there is still energy left in them to be used.鈥�

鈥淚f we can re-purpose them to be used for easy-bikes in Bangladesh it will help lower their carbon footprint and provide the country with a new economy. Thousands of jobs opportunities could be created both in Bangladesh and the UK.鈥�

 ENDS

13 NOVEMBER 2019

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at: /services/communications/medialibrary/images/october2019/mohammad_photograph.jpg

About GCRF -  

UK Research and Innovation works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish. We aim to maximise the contribution of each of our component parts, working individually and collectively. We work with our many partners to benefit everyone through knowledge, talent and ideas.

Operating across the whole of the UK with a combined budget of more than 拢7 billion, UK Research and Innovation brings together the seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
神马福利影片
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

鈥� A replica of Percy Riley鈥檚 1898 Voiturette has been built by members of the Riley Motor Club and Riley Register with the encouragement of William Riley鈥檚 grandson Victor Riley

鈥� WMG, at the 神马福利影片, are sponsoring 拢2,000 to help with the construction of a replica engine.

鈥� The car featured was the first to have a mechanically operated inlet valve and led the way for the British motor industry and prevented royalty claims.

鈥� There was a launch event at the Coventry Transport Museum on the 6th November to showcase the replica prior to the engine being made.

In a bid to get the first Riley car recreated and back on the roads of Coventry for City of Culture 2021, WMG, at the 神马福利影片, are helping with sponsorship to construct a replica engine which will complete a working replica of Percy's Riley 1898 Voiturette.

The launch of the replica, in its near finished state, was revealed at the Coventry Transport Museum, on 6th November by the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Linda Bigham, alongside Victor Riley, WMG and invited guests.

The Riley car company started in 1890 as the Bonnick Cycle Company of Coventry before William Riley Jr incorporated the Riley Cycle Company in 1896.

His son, Percy Riley started his first car secretly, aged 16, in 1896 and completed its build in 1898 then drove it to Stratford upon Avon to test the car. By 1903 the Riley Engine Company was established, and in 1919 the company changed its name to Riley (Coventry) Limited.

Driven by Percy and his three brothers, the company鈥檚 focus shifted to manufacturing entire cars in early 1906.

Professor Dave Mullins, Interim Head of Department WMG comments:

鈥淭he Riley brand has played a leading role in the City鈥檚 automotive manufacturing industry and we are delighted to be able to support such a significant project for the Riley Motor Club. The family owned company has always focused on being innovative and entrepreneurial, and these characteristics align with those of WMG. We look forward to showcasing the Voiturette during the Coventry City of Culture 2021. 鈥�

Victor Riley, the grandson of William Riley, comments on the difficulty of constructing a replica especially in light of the fact the original car no longer exists:

鈥淢uch experimentation has been carried out particularly in some detail of the steering geometry. With help from the Souck Bucks Riley Register members were able to put some of the components together to give an idea of the car taking shape. We are now at the stage where we need to complete the engine to get a fully working replica, and we鈥檙e grateful for the sponsorship from WMG, 神马福利影片, which will enable this to happen.鈥�

Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Linda Bigham, said: 鈥淐oventry is the birthplace of the British Motor Industry. It鈥檚 important that we celebrate this and are proud of the innovation, which is still very much alive today especially in the green revolution.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I was so pleased to be able to unveil the Voiturette today. With our year as UK City of Culture fast approaching, having a working replica of this iconic car will help us showcase our past and celebrate our future.鈥�

The 1898 Voiturette will be on the Rily Motor Club stand at the Classic Car Show at the NEC from 8th to 10th November. It will share the stand with the 3rd car of the 1906 first production car, 1919 side valve car and a 1967 Elf.

Three new exciting opportunities for engineering and manufacturing experts are being advertised at WMG, 神马福利影片, including Regius Professor of Manufacturing – which was last held by the late founder of WMG Professor Lord Bhattacharyya.

The three engineering and manufacturing roles being advertised at WMG, 神马福利影片 are:

1. Regius Professor of Manufacturing

2. Professor (Research Director) in developing WMG鈥檚 research strategy

3. Associate Professor or Reader in Future Mobility

The Associate Professor or Reader in Future Mobility will focus on Intelligent Vehicles research, exploring ways to move people and goods around in a safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly way.

WMG is partnered with many local businesses, keeping the West Midlands at the forefront of autonomous vehicle research, and this new Associate Professor or Reader will be working with Government and industry funded projects to exploit new ideas and technologies to look beyond traditional, infrastructure-heavy approaches to transport, and create innovative ways to improve vehicles and make journeys better and accessible to all.

The will lead the development of WMG鈥檚 research strategy and provide academic leadership in their chosen field, to keep WMG at the forefront of innovation in research, education and knowledge transfer activities.

Finally the which was bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen in 2016 was held by the founder of WMG the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya. As WMG enters its 40^th year in 2020 an exceptional researcher is sought to shape the future of manufacturing.

Professor David Mullins, Interim Head of WMG at the 神马福利影片 comments:

鈥淲MG is at the forefront of research and innovation. As a key element of our future strategy and leadership, we are recruiting three senior engineering and manufacturing specialists with a passion and exemplary research and impact track record in areas from electrification and intelligent vehicles, to advanced manufacturing and materials, health and wellbeing and cyber security.鈥�

ENDS

29 OCTOBER 2019

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information about the Associate Professor or Reader in future mobility see:

For more information about the Professor (Research Director) in developing WMG鈥檚 research strategy see:

For more information about the Regius Professor of Manufacturing see:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
神马福利影片
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

WMG was honoured to welcome Dan Myers, Managing Director, Transport – UK & Ireland, , as a guest speaker, on the Applied Engineering Programme (AEP).

WMG prides itself on delivering education programmes with real industry relevance making guest speakers a crucial element of the course. As MD at a leading global transportation and logistics services provider, Dan was able to share his extensive personal experiences with the students.

Dan Myers said: 鈥淚t was a privilege to be given the opportunity to talk with the logistics leaders of tomorrow at WMG, 神马福利影片. We discussed the dynamic changing face of our industry and its importance to the wider economy - the significance of building talented and motivated teams, the potential of technology and automation of the supply chain today and of the future.鈥�

WMG student Kerry Giordan said: "It was interesting to hear from someone working in the business who is able to relate the theory to existing processes and improvements. From our perspective as undergraduate apprentices, it was great to hear that Dan has been in the company for 20 years having working his way up through many levels to Managing Director."

Find out more about the AEP here.